Traction attachment for vehicle wheels



Jan. 6, 1931. E. D. McMAHcgN 1,787,753

TRACTION ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLE WHEELS Filed Dec. 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Z. J. W-WV WI B, 2mm

, Attorney;

Jan. 6, 1931. I MGMAHON 1,787,753

TRACTION ATTACHMENT FOR VEHICLE WHEELS Filed Dec. 20. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor O o Q 0 Patented Jan. 6, 1931 iisTAre-s EUGENE n. McMAHO'N, ema ation,

TRACTION ATTACHMENT F'OitiV I- IICLEWHEEIQS Y Application filed December 20,-'1'92" Seria1K032413331.

The present invention relates toa traction attachment for vehicle wheels adapted to be removably carried thereon and comprising a plurality of thin sections providing an increased area for the tread of the wheel whereby to enable the vehicle to travel upon soft ground without becoming embedded therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a series of cleats upon each of the traction sections and constituting a traction encasing element for the wheel while travelling through mud or other relatively soft ground.

Another object is to provide a double support for the traction section, one of said supports being provided by the tire of the wheel and the other support connecting the outer flange of the traction-section with the hub of the wheel, said latter support including the yieldable connection between the traction section and' the hub whereby to provide a resilient mounting for the frame.

Another object is to provide an attachment of this character of simple and practical construction which is strong and durable, efficient and reliable in performance, adapted to be easily and quickly mounted and demounted in position upon the wheel, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purpose for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the special construction and combination of the various elements comprising the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a wheel showing the attachment in assembled position thereon, V

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view therethrough,

Figure 3 is a detail of the hub forming a 7 support for the spoke to which the outer flange of the traction sectionsare attached, and V Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the traction sections.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the invention comprises a plurality of traction sections indicated at 5 of an arcuate formation conforming with the tread of a vehicl'e tire; 6, upon which :the sections are ar ranged, 5 said sections-being angular in cross section gas-shownin Figure 2,;providing a treadsur'face .7 fort-he section of aWidth substantiall'y; equal to 3 the I diameter. of the jtire, the sides of the section terminating in flanges 8 a d firesp tir ly- The-flange 8 is rdisposed inwardly witherespect to the wheel whereas the flange 9 is .dis-- posed, oppositely "on xthe I outer edge of the wheel and is of a relativelyiincreasedvwidth over-the flange 8. Upon the outersurfaceof each' of. the traction sections is mountedaplurality of cleats 10,- preferably constructed (of angle iron with the base portion thereof; rivet: ed or otherwise securedtothetraction section andrextending throughout the width of the secti n-f, W s

hubrextension 11 is mounted on thehub 1230f the wheel, thehub providing asupport for arflanged collar 13 havingits outerperiphery of a hexagonal formatiomtheichannel between the flanges of the collar providingaseat for a complementary shaped axle clampil h forined of a pair-ofsections asil lustrated n Figures 1 and 3 r the "drawing the ends of said section being v connectedby meansgof bolts 15 or the like; Upon -.each-of the angular surfacesof the clamp '14 extend relatively short spokes. 16 disposed radially with respect to the hub with the outer end of each of said spokes slidably insertedthrough' the converging end.17 Qof aV=--:shapedsupport 7 18; The. arms'of theV-shaped supportextefld diagonally from the outer endfofthe s k 'is toward the, periphery ofmthe' wheel and-are d sposedw'ithin the flange 9 of the adjacent traction section 5, being"secured thereto by mean o f-rivets, bolts orsuitable fasteners. Between the support18 andthe" flange 9"is interposedone'end'of a section of angle iron 1'9,arcuate "shaped inlco nformity with the flangeand'witli its outer "edge disposed outwardly" with 7 'r'espect to the support" 18 and extending in-a directionfoward the hub substantially the "form of an' apron. At the.

' under s'ide of the inner flange 8 are alsosecured similarf'angle iron sections r20. IM'ounted upon eachbf the" spokes is a co l spring :22

having its oppositei'end yilda bly compressed ion between the clamp 14 and the inner end of the V-shaped support 8. H

As more clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings each of the arms ofwthe supports 18 may bevformed of inner and outer spaced bars 23 and 24 connected together at their opposite ends. The construction of the arms in this manner" has its advantages in at their upper ends to the opposite end portions of the outwardly extending flanges, and compressible springs between the lower ends of the arms and the clamp sections and mounted on the guide spokes in a manner to urge the arms outwardly.

- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. EUGENE D. McMAHON.

that the weight thereof is materially reduced and enables the inner and outer edges of the,

flange 9 to be suitably supported without providing any broadsurjface for engagement L o with mud or other loose material over which the vehicle may be standing and thuspre-J' vent an accumulation of mud thereupon.

At-one end of each of the tractor sections 5, preferablyin'the flanges 8 and 9, are formed slotted openings 25 adapted'to receive the hooked ends of latch members'26 carried on the adjacent end of the adjoining traction section. By providing a fastener of this character the adjacent ends'of;

are firmly secured to the tread of the wheel into soft ground over which 'thevehicle may be passing and furthermore by providing the cleats lO'llPOIl each of the sections, suitable means is at forded for increasing the traction of the wheel.

It is obviousv that the invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications, 7

without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its ad "antages, and I accordingly claim all such 1 forms of the "deviceto which I am entitled.

Having 'thus' described my invention, what I claim as new is:

A traction attachment for wheels of the character described comprising a series of channeled tread sectionsfor. the'reception of the tread portion of. a vehicle tire, outward ly extending flangesrvon the longitudinal edges of the treadsection, co-acting means on the flanges for shiftably connecting the adjacent ends of means for resiliently supportingfthe 'longif the sections together, and

tudinalflanges on thefhub otthe wheelcomprising a polygonal collar hub having peripheral flanges onits' opposite ends, a sectional polygonal clamp'jdetachably I mounted on the collar intermediate the flanges, I radially V mounted on each of the clampsections, up-t wardly diverging supporting arms slidably I,

mountedon the guide spokes, and connected mounted on c said extendingguide j spokes I 

